Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSSMy dear St. Joseph family,
As your pastor, I want to speak to you heart-to-heart. In just a few days—August 1 and 2—our parish grounds will once again come alive with laughter, music, good food, friendly competition, and the warm joy of simply being together. A parish festival is never just an event. It is a moment when a community remembers who it is. It is a time when faith becomes fellowship, when gratitude becomes celebration, and when strangers become friends.
Church festivals have always had a sacred rhythm. Long before Christianity, people gathered at harvest time to give thanks, to share meals, to celebrate the goodness of the earth. Judaism embraced these feasts, and Jesus Himself celebrated them with His people—traveling, praying, eating, rejoicing. Our Christian festivals are born from that same spirit: God’s people gathering to honor the blessings they have received. And that is exactly what our Parish Festival is meant to be. Yes, there are committees, volunteers, meetings, and planning. Yes, there are booths to set up and tournaments to organize. But beneath all of that is something deeper— a beautiful sense of community. When we work side by side, when we welcome visitors, when we share food and laughter, we become more than a parish. We become a family.
On Saturday (10:00 AM–10:00 PM) and Sunday (12:00 NN–9:00 PM), I am inviting you—personally—to come and be part of this family celebration. Eat Mexican food, roasted corn, ladyfingers, enchiladas, street tacos, burgers, kielbasa sandwiches, and meatball sandwiches. Play games of chance, watch the kids run around, get your face painted, listen to music, and cheer at the Richard Duvall Memorial Horseshoe Tournament, the Adult Co-ed Softball games, and Youth Baseball. Come catch up with old friends and make new ones.
But above all, come to pray. The heart of our weekend is the Holy Mass—our great thanksgiving to the Lord. Everything we enjoy—food, fellowship, fun—is an overflow of the blessings God has poured into our parish, our families, and our personal lives. When we gather at the altar, we place all of that joy before Him.
My beloved parishioners, I am asking you to be part of this. Your presence matters. Your smile matters. Your participation strengthens our parish and lifts our spirit. Let us celebrate together, laugh together, pray together, and build up our community—all for the greater glory of God. I look forward to seeing you there. You are part of this family, and this festival is for you.
With affection and gratitude,
Fr. Joseph
The Chalice for Vocations ministry was developed to promote fervent and devotional prayer for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. These specific intentions are raised as the chalice travels within the parish community.